With this new class, we have now recognized 125 Everyday Heroes since we started the program in 2017. That translates to 125 singular stories of people helping to heal, unite and improve our communities—of selfless acts that inspire us to try to do better.
The process of choosing the 2021 group of 25 Everyday Heroes started months ago when we asked for nominations. Plenty of them came in. It’s a difficult task for our judges to narrow the list.
We chose five finalists and 20 semifinalists, who are featured in this special publication, which is created through the combined efforts of The Columbus Dispatch, Dispatch Magazines and ThisWeek Community News.
The Everyday Heroes also will be honored during a television program airing on NBC4 WCMH-TV on Oct. 6 at 12:30 pm. During that show, the overall Everyday Hero will be announced.
We thank our honorees for making such a significant difference in Central Ohio.
Mike Elicson/For The Columbus Dispatch
Pharmacist Olivia Nathan works to vaccinate communities of color and educate Black women on HIV prevention.
Everyday Heroes: Olivia Nathan helps break down barriers to COVID vaccine
Olivia Nathan is trying to help meet the threat of COVID-19 and the delta variant by bringing shots directly to people, avoiding barriers of technology and transportation.
The Columbus Dispatch
Rob Hardin / Columbus Monthly
Mark Sigrist has used his energy and organizational skills to start a 5K for charity and worked to include and boost those with special needs.
Everyday Heroes: Mark Sigrist helps with Buddy Ball, which offers safe place for disabled Ohioans
Mark Sigrist volunteers with the Grove City Buddy Ball league, where disabled athletes get a chance to play baseball with the help of a non-disabled helper.
Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch
Tim Johnson/Columbus Monthly
Ram Upreti, who works for Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, has dedicated himself to helping refugees from his homeland get through the pandemic.
Everyday Heroes: Ram Upreti wants to help immigrants stay informed, connected to Columbus
Ram Upreti, an immigrant from Bhutan, looks to his country and faith for motivation to help anyone who needs it in central Ohio.
Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch
Dave Baker shares his story of living with AIDS to help stop the spread of the virus that changed his life.
Tim Johnson/Columbus Monthly
Everyday Heroes: David Baker uses experience to fight HIV, AIDS
David Baker has been living with HIV for 25 years. He hosts events to help others realize the risk and how to prevent it in central Ohio communities.
Doral Chenoweth, The Columbus Dispatch
Rob Hardin / Columbus Monthly
Debra McCauley distributes meals to a vulnerable population during the pandemic, even though she’s far from wealthy.
Read the stories of our semi-finalists
Publisher/Dispatch Magazines
Contributing editors
- Lee Cochran
- Emma Frankart Henterly
- Kelly Lecker
Contributing writers
- Asia Atuah
- Stephen Borgna
- Tim Carlin
- Joe Dandron
- Grace Deng
- Jess Deyo
- Sarah Donaldson
- Nate Ellis
- Alan Froman
- Suzanne Goldsmith
- Ken Gordon
- Marla Kuhlman
- Brittany Moseley
- David Rees
- Lily Roby
- Gary Seman Jr.
- Sarah Szilagy
- Tatyana Tandanpolie
- Erica Thompson
- Steve Wartenberg
- Eliana Wright
- Holly Zachariah
Contributing photographers
- Adam Cairns
- Lorrie Cecil
- Rob Hardin
- Tim Johnson
- Kyle Robertson
- Fred Squillante
- Dan Trittschuh
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